Guiding The Way To The Lei Stands

On my way to the airport I missed the “lei stands” sign and soon found myself heading east on Nimitz Highway! I finally pulled into JN Rentals. A lovely lady greeted me warmly in the office and upon hearing my anxious tale, walked me back outside, pointing and giving directions. By then I had to say, “Please let me write this all down.” To which she countered, “Why don’t you just follow one of our employees back to the airport?” He did, I did, and I never was so relieved to arrive at the airport with a lei on time.

K. Kimi
Waialae

Dear K,

“She was all turned around and we make it our promise to help people, whether they want to rent a car or not,” says Susan Clines, manager of JN Rentals. “The easiest solution was to have her follow one of our employees.”

Aloha Pamela,

I wanted to thank the owners of The Clock Collection on Kapiolani Boulevard. I had called the shop one day to check if they had the Westminster chime clock I wanted to get my husband for his birthday, and they said yes. I headed out after work at 5:30 to check it out. The shop closes at 6, and I had hit traffic from heavy rain on Ala Moana. I finally found the shop around 6:30 after parking and walking.

When I looked across the street toward the shop, I noticed a woman standing outside with an umbrella. It was the owner. She had been waiting and watching, knowing that I was on my way. She and her husband, who own the 25-year-old business, spent 40 more minutes helping me pick out the perfect clock. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate them going so far out of their way for me. Guess that’s why after 25 years in business they are still going strong.

Michelle Cabalse
Wahiawa Heights

Dear Michelle,

“She had called and tried to get directions,” says Stephen Tsuha of The Clock Collection. “We share a parking lot with Yanagi Sushi, and it was the dinner hour and there were a lot of cars in front, so she drove right past. May Wu, our proprietor, said let’s stick around, since it was raining hard and Michelle was coming all the way from Wahiawa. Finally she parked down the street and walked over. She was a very nice lady. She got a German mantel clock with the chimes. She said she grew up with one in New England and it brought back many memories. We were glad to help.”

Aloha Pamela,

I left Walmart on Keeaumoku and went to another store when I realized my wallet was missing. I frantically drove back to Walmart, checked with customer service. The woman opened the drawer and there was my wallet with everything in it! Apparently I left it in the shopping cart and the security guard named Tasi turned it in. I was able to thank him personally but felt that he needs to also be recognized publicly. I want to thank Tasi for his honesty. I’m so grateful to him and Walmart should be too - we need more folks like Tasi in this world.

Charmain Wong
Kapalama Heights

Dear Charmain,

Securitas HR specialist Kiki Umi says that Tasi has been working for the company for only a couple months but already shows the diligence of a veteran security guard. “Our motto is integrity, vigilance and helpfulness,” she says, “and Maloautasi Lausou has taken that to heart.”

(If you know someone who deserves some Applause, send your letters to Pamela Young, MidWeek Applause, KITV, 801 S. King St., Honolulu, HI, 96813 or e-mail pyoung@kitv.com. Include your name, phone number and, if possible, the phone number of your “applaudee” so we can contact him or her.)